Regulations
implementing the Act published on January 17, 2001.

The Rehabilitation
Act will be reauthorized in 2003.

Components
of the Rehabilitation Act:

Title I: Vocational
Rehabilitation Services

State vocational
rehabilitation (VR) programs. The State/ Federal VR programs are
formula funded (21.7% State and 78.3% federal funds). Every State
in the nation, several territories (e.g. Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S.
Virgin Islands) and the District of Columbia have public VR programs.
Title I includes VR services for the Blind and a VR program for
other people with disabilities. These programs may be in separate
agencies or combined, depending upon the State structure.

State Rehabilitation
Councils (SRC)  Governor appointed Council or Commission comprised
of a majority people with disabilities. The SRC works with the
VR agency on policy, program development and consumer satisfaction.

American
Indian VR programs - discretionary grant programs serving Native
Americans and Native Alaskans on or near reservations.

(NOTE:
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) provides the oversight
under this title via technical assistance and monitoring.)

Title II: Research and
Training

This title includes
the federally funded research and training programs that focus on
the inclusion and integration of individuals with disabilities in
employment and in society.

Rehabilitation
Research Advisory Committee

National
Institute of Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)

NIDRR
 a program in the U.S. Department of Education in the administrative
cluster with RSA.

NIDRR
provides the oversight and monitors grantees under this title
of the Act.

Title III: Professional
Development and Special Projects and Demonstrations

This title includes
the following program areas funded through federal dollars via discretionary
grants (open competition):

Training
(long-term, short-term and continuing education for VR staff and
community providers)

Migrant
Seasonal Farmworker

Recreation

Demonstration
and systems change grants

(NOTE:
Rehabilitation Services Administration provides the oversight through
monitoring and technical assistance to grantees under this title.)

Title IV: National Council
on Disability (NCD)

Presidential appointees
who promote policies, programs and practices that support equal opportunity
and empower people with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency
and community integration. The Council provides advice to the RSA
Commissioner, the Director of NIDRR and the Interagency Coordinating
Council.

Title V: Rights and
Advocacy

This Title:
1. prohibits disability based discrimination in all federally funded
programs and activities; and
2. ensures compliance with accessibility standards that are designed
to remove barriers and increase access to people with disabilities

Features:
Protection and Advocacy system (P&A)
Non-discrimination in federal hiring of people with disabilitiesNon
 discrimination in hiring by federal contractors (companies receiving
federal money)Language and coverage considered to be forerunner
to the Americans with Disabilities ActFederal agencies purchase
accessible equipment, electronic and information technologyArchitectural
& Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (the Access Board)Interagency
Disability Coordinating Council (13 Presidential appointees and
heads of federal agencies)

Finding
Information on theReauthorization
of the Rehabilitation Act

The 1998 reauthorization of
the Rehabilitation Act (Title IV of the Workforce Investment Act of
1998; PL 105-220) requires that the State Plan for each VR agency
must include an interagency agreement covering 1) agency financial
responsibility, 2) conditions, terms, & procedures of reimbursement,
3) procedures for resolving interagency disputes, and 4) coordination
of service procedures among the various providers of services to VR
clients. State Plans are due in to the Federal Government by April
1, 2000.

Postsecondary programs should
make sure that they are a part of the planning process in their
states. We are finding that many postsecondary program service providers
are unaware of the provision in the section on the Rehabilitation
Act Reauthorization for interagency agreements. What can you, as
a postsecondary institution, do to prepare for these meetings and
educate yourself about the Act and its potential impact on services
to students who are VR clients?

Disability Access Information
and Support has developed a virtual Teach In on the subject of Vocational
Rehabilitation and Interagency Agreements. The purpose of the Teach
In is to inform, discuss/share, publicize, and encourage action.
The website for the Teach In is http://www.janejarrow.com/teach-in.
Information can also be found there on how to sign on to the newly-established
listserv that will be used to explore this topic.

Finally, PEPNet has posted
a kit to their webpage to help postsecondary education programs
prepare for negotiations with Vocational Rehabilitation. The website
is http://www.pepnet.org. The
PEPNet website explores the history of the Vocational Rehabilitation-Institution
of Higher Education relationship, recent events that have had an
impact on this relationship, and points that each state Institution
of Higher Education should be sure to obtain clarificaiton on, such
as how funding of out-of-state students will be handled, and the
role of private postsecondary institutions.